COLORADO MEDICINE
ADVOCATING EXCELLENCE IN THE PROFESSION OF MEDICINE
VOICES AMPLIFIED:
CMS PHYSICIANS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AT THE STATE CAPITOL
VOICES AMPLIFIED: CMS PHYSICIANS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AT THE STATE CAPITOL
Another legislative session is behind us, and the Colorado Medical Society once again made great strides on your behalf, supporting good legislation to support your practice viability and wellbeing, and opposing bad legislation that would have harmed patient safety and access to care.
9 LIES MY BRAIN TELLS ME
Laura Martin, MD, CPHP associate medical director, challenges physicians to reject the temptation to over-prioritize time spent at work at the expense of wellbeing.
20 FINAL WORD: HOW AI IS EMPOWERING PHYSICIANS AND ENHANCING CARE
Sean Riley, MD, MBS, and Alan Kimura, MD, MPH, chair and vice-chair of CMS’s AI Task Force, respectively, share how AI is changing medicine and how CMS will be involved in state policies to encourage growth while protecting patients.
3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER: A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Continuing medical education benefits individual physicians and contributes to the overall improvement of health care delivery and patient safety. In our dual role as CME provider and ACCME Recognized Accreditor, the Colorado Medical Society is working to make CME more relevant, impactful and easier for physicians to access.
• Student scientists recognized at state science fair
• NCMS brings members together at first “Doctors and Diners” breakfast
• EPCMS Bi-Annual Celebration provides connection, education
14 Reflections: The heart of medicine
15 Reflections: Bearing witness to patient stories
16 Introspections: Finding my voice in the halls of Congress
18 Copic Comment: Giving back to health care
19 Partner in Medicine Spotlight: Why becoming a partner could be your next big move
COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY
OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS, AMA DELEGATES, and STAFF
2024-2025 OFFICERS
Kim Warner, MD
President
Brigitta Robinson, MD President-elect
Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA
Immediate Past President
Hap Young, MD
Treasurer
Dean Holzkamp Chief Executive Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brittany Carver, DO
Kamran Dastoury, MD
Amy Duckro, DO, MPH
Rachelle M. Klammer, MD
Marc Labovich, MD
Justin McCoy, DO
Katie McDermott, MSC
Michael Moore, MD
Rhonda Parker, DO
Lynn Parry, MD
Sean Pauzauskie, MD
Leto Quarles, MD
Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA
Davis Witt, MD
Hap Young, MD
COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY STAFF
Dean Holzkamp
Chief Executive Officer
Dean_Holzkamp@cms.org
Kate Alfano
Director of Communications and Marketing
Kate_Alfano@cms.org
Mike Bintner
Director of Membership
Mike_Bintner@cms.org
Virginia "Ginny" Castleberry Executive Director Denver Medical Society
Virginia_Castleberry@cms.org
80230-6902. 720-859-1001.
Cecilia Comerford-Ames
Executive Director, Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Communications Manager
Cecilia_Comerford@cms.org
Dorcia Dunn
Program Manager, Membership Dorcia_Dunn@cms.org
Crystal Goodman
Executive Director, Northern Colorado Medical Society
Crystal_Goodman@cms.org
Mihal Sabar Director of Accounting
Mihal_Sabar@cms.org
AMA DELEGATION
David Downs, MD, FACP
Amy Duckro, DO, MPH
Carolynn Francavilla, MD
Mark Johnson, MD, MPH
Jan Kief, MD
Rachelle Klammer, MD
A. “Lee” Morgan, MD
Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD
Lynn Parry, MD
Brigitta J. Robinson, MD
Michael Volz, MD
Patricia Weber, MD
AMA PAST PRESIDENT
Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD
Chet Seward Chief Strategy Officer Chet_Seward@cms.org
Kim Vadas, MABMH, CHCP, FACEHP Director of Continuing Medical Education and Recognized Accreditor Programs
Kim_Vadas@cms.org
Debra Will Director of Business Development
Debra_Will@cms.org
Continuing medical education: A commitment to excellence
Kim Warner, MD, CMS President
NEW CME REQUIREMENTS FOR COLORADO PHYSICIANS
Continuing medical education (CME) not only benefits individual physicians but also contributes to the overall improvement of health care delivery and patient safety. Therefore, it is crucial for physicians to prioritize lifelong learning through CME to provide excellent care and uphold the highest standards of medical practice.
With a new CME requirement on the horizon in Colorado, it’s worth revisiting what CME means for our profession –not as a regulatory hoop, but as a tool for real growth. The Colorado Medical Society (CMS), in its dual role as a CME provider and Recognized Accreditor by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), is working to make that growth easier, more relevant, and more impactful.
CMS AND ITS ROLE IN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
The Colorado Medical Society (CMS) has long been a leader in advancing high-quality CME. As both an accredited provider and a Recognized Accreditor by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), CMS is committed to upholding the highest national standards in educational programming.
CMS accredits and supports a diverse range of CME organizations and programs, from accrediting providers across Colorado and surrounding states, to providing accredited activities. This work helps to ensure educational offerings are relevant to clinical practices, evidence-based, and free from commercial biases and influence. We develop our educational programs to advance learners’ knowledge, competence, and performance across key domains essential to clinical practice.
CMS serves as a trusted accreditor and collaborator by establishing and enforcing rigorous health and safety standards, thereby playing a vital role in supporting
LEGISLATION
physicians and organizations as they achieve their educational objectives and fulfill regulatory requirements. Through its oversight and partnership with health care entities, CMS ensures consistent quality of care and compliance across programs, ultimately safeguarding patient wellbeing and organizational accountability.
Organizations are able to collaborate with CMS through joint providership. This collaborative model allows a non-accredited organization to plan and implement continuing medical education (CME) activities. Together, this approach ensures educational programs meet ACCME standards while reaching a wider audience.
For groups and organizations interested in becoming a CME accredited provider or collaborating on educational activities, CMS offers guidance, support, and a strong platform for outreach to medical communities at the state, regional, and national levels.
NEW CME REQUIREMENT FOR ALL COLORADO PHYSICIANS
Looking ahead, Colorado physicians should be aware of an important change beginning Jan. 1, 2026: For medical license renewals, physicians will be required to complete 30 hours of accredited CME activities every two years.
This change was established through legislation passed in 2024 and represents a new statewide standard for physician education. It does not replace specialty board requirements – many of which exceed this threshold – but adds a baseline expectation for all licensees under the Colorado Medical Board. Providing for generous overlap between board-required education and the new state requirement was a key point CMS advocated for when the bill was under consideration.
While the new law has not yet been imple -
mented, the Colorado Medical Board is in the process of finalizing details related to its implementation, and CMS remains engaged in this process. Physicians should continue following their current CME practices and any specialty board requirements. It’s important to remember the requirement of completing two hours of substance use disorder training (it does not have to be CME accredited) for each renewal cycle remains in effect.
While the new CME credit requirement will not take effect until the 2027 renewal cycle, CMS encourages physicians to begin planning now. This change signals a broader shift toward prioritizing lifelong learning at the regulatory level – recognizing the essential role continuing education plays in advancing patient care and professional practice.
SUPPORTING A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING
As the implementation of this new requirement approaches, CMS will continue to serve as a resource for physicians and organizations alike. Through high-quality accreditation services, educational programming, and guidance, CMS remains committed to supporting a well-informed and well-prepared physician workforce in Colorado. To explore CMS’s CME offerings or to find out how your organization can become an accredited or joint provider, visit www.cms.org or email CME@cms.org . CMS is here to support your continued learning.
CME is – and will remain – a critical tool for ensuring clinical excellence and advancing health care standards for all Coloradans. ■
VOICES AMPLIFIED:
CMS PHYSICIANS MAKE THEIR VOICES
HEARD AT THE STATE CAPITOL
Every legislative session, the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) works to protect physicians, advocate for patients, and improve the practice environment across our state. The 2025 session presented tough budgetary choices and created federal pressure on services – but the session also brought meaningful wins for physicians and the patients Colorado physicians serve.
THE STATE BUDGET AND THE HEALTH CARE SAFETY NET
Colorado’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget reflects a growing strain on the state’s health care system following last year’s surge in Medicaid enrollment costs and coverage losses during redetermination. To account for demand, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) – which administers Medicaid – will be allotted 6.8 percent more from the General Fund.
While provider rate cuts were an option given the size of the deficet, CMS and other advocates worked to educate legislators on what the Medicaid safety net means to Colorado. The final budget includes a 1.6 percent increase in provider rates. These dollars help stabilize the health care safety net, though they came at the cost of over $100 million in transportation cuts, the elimination of key workforce programs, and delayed education funding.
One significant success came through Senate Bill 290, which allocates $25 million in FY 2025-26 from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to safety net providers serving low-income and uninsured Coloradans. Additional funding is expected in future years. Sen. Jeff Bridges, who chairs the Joint Budget Committee said in an April 28 Summit Daily article, “These folks work on the front lines of health care serving the most vulnerable Coloradans. SB290 buys us some time to figure it out.”
Despite a projected $2 billion state surplus, the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits annual spending growth to just 3.6 percent, based on 2008 levels adjusted for inflation and population. With essential services like Medicaid and education growing faster than that cap allows, the state already faces a projected $1.2 billion shortfall for FY 2026-27.
“CMS worked tirelessly alongside us to advance HB25-1151 because we recognized the need to bring fairness and efficiency to the arbitration process for out-of-network claims – streamlining payment determinations and aligning Colorado law with federal standards. Although the bill didn’t pass this year, we’re not backing down. I’m proud to stand with CMS and will continue fighting for meaningful reform.”
— Rep. Anthony Hartsook, R-District 44, Douglas County
THREATS TO ACCESS
At the federal level, Congress continues to consider proposals that would cut billions from Medicaid over the next decade. These federal threats could deeply affect state budgets and may even prompt a special session in Colorado. CMS is actively engaged with lawmakers in D.C. and Colorado to protect Medicaid and preserve access to care.
Access to care concerns were not limited to state budget issues. Worries about the federal government not enforcing EMTALA drove the introduction of Senate Bill 13. The bill would have created a burdensome and confusing state regulatory framework, but CMS advocacy helped to amend the bill to mirror federal law.
PROTECTING PATIENTS AND PHYSICIAN-LED CARE
One of CMS’s most consistent priorities is to protect the integrity and safety of physician-led care. Two important bills this session worked to enhance transparency, strengthen trusting relationships, and protect patients.
Senate Bill 152, which requires clear identification of health care providers’ credentials, passed both chambers and was signed by the governor on May 5. This legislation ensures patients know who is providing their care. CMS policy supports strong relationships with patients.
This year, Senate Bill 32, which would have allowed naturopaths to prescribe many Schedule III-V drugs, was
“Colorado’s physicians are dedicated to protecting the health of all people in our state. This year, in addition to sponsoring House Bill 1151, the ‘batching bill,’ I had the opportunity to work alongside the Colorado Medical Society to recognize that physicians are people too, and to help pass House Bill 1176, which addresses behavioral health stigma among providers. We have an obligation to ensure that the people who provide care for us can also get the care they need.”
— Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-District 30, Jefferson County
defeated in committee – a victory for patient safety that CMS will continue to champion.
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REFORM
Following last year’s major win on prior authorization reform, CMS supported Senate Bill 301 this session. It allows physicians to modify the dosage or frequency of a chronic maintenance medication without going through another prior authorization if the medication has already been approved for the patient’s condition. This simple change supports timely and personalized treatment and reduces unnecessary delays in care.
SUPPORTING PHYSICIAN WELLBEING AND PRACTICE VIABILITY
CMS prioritizes your wellbeing and the sustainability of your practice – because physicians can only provide the best care when they are supported themselves.
Reducing mental health stigma
House Bill 1176, a CMS priority, will eliminate stigmatizing questions about mental health on medical licensure and renewal applications. The bill encourages physicians and other providers to seek care for their own mental health without fear of career consequences. After months of negotiations between CMS, legislators, provider coalitions, DORA, and the governor's office, a strong bill was passed to protect both patient safety and provider wellbeing. This Colorado effort has been recognized by the American Medical Association. Special thanks go to the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians for their partnership.
Physician autonomy in practice
Senate Bill 83 bans non-compete clauses for physicians, ensuring that health care providers can inform patients of their new practice location and allow continuity of care. This legislation also clarifies limited situations
where non-competes tied to business sales may still be enforceable. CMS’s advocacy helped move this bill over the finish line, offering physicians more freedom and offering patients better access to trusted providers.
Fighting for fairer arbitration
House Bill 1151, which would have improved arbitration of out-of-network insurance claims and reduced administrative burdens, passed the House but failed in the Senate. CMS will continue working on policies that simplify insurance disputes and support sustainable practice models.
Reforming RAC audits
Senate Bill 314 significantly improves Colorado’s Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) audit process. The bill limits the frequency and scope of audits, clarifies appeal procedures, and enhances vendor oversight. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens and create a fairer audit system, while preserving program integrity.
LIABILITY AND LEGAL PROTECTIONS
Senate Bill 157, which would have weakened Colorado’s public impact standard in deceptive trade practice claims, failed on the Senate floor. CMS opposed this bill because it would have increased legal exposure for professionals, including physicians, without improving consumer protections. CMS will remain vigilant in defending Colorado’s stable liability environment.
INNOVATION AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Artificial intelligence promises to disrupt health care and statutory efforts to create appropriate guardrails that don’t stifle innovation are still a work in process. A 2024 Senate Bill 24-205 sparked national attention and drove calls for a fix this year that never materialized Senate Bill 318. Work on this issue
CMS leads in physician advocacy
13
13 CMS Council on Legislation meetings
29
29 Council on Legislation members, representing 16 sections and components, and 13 specialty societies
62
62 bills tracked, 37 positions taken
will continue, with rumors of a potential special session this summer.
BEYOND THE CAPITOL: REGULATION, ADVOCACY, AND SPECIAL SESSIONS
CMS advocacy does not stop when the legislative session ends. Many key health care decisions are made through regulation, which carries the weight of law. CMS is monitoring upcoming rulemakings and preparing for a potential special session depending on federal budget outcomes.
We are also actively participating in regulatory conversations around Medicaid access, behavioral health, reimbursement reform, and the workforce pipeline to ensure that physicians have a strong voice in shaping the future of Colorado health care. ■
“I was proud to help support SB25-83 to end restrictive covenants that limit patient access to care. These efforts put patients first – preserving their right to choose their doctor and ensuring physicians can practice without unnecessary legal roadblocks.”
— Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, D-District 19, Adams and Jefferson counties
Champions of Medicine
The Colorado Medical Society honors outstanding legislators each year as Champions of Medicine – leaders who show a deep commitment to health care by supporting legislation that improves access, quality, and outcomes for all Coloradans.
SENATE HOUSE
Sen. James Coleman Senate President D-District 33
Denver County
Sen. Lindsey Daugherty
D-District 19
Adams and Jefferson counties
Sen. Lisa Frizell R-District 2
Douglas County
Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer R-District 23
Larimer and Weld counties
Sen. Kyle Mullica D-District 24
Adams County
Sen. Dylan Roberts
Majority Caucus Chair
D-District 8
Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties
Rep. Carlos Barron R-District 48
Adams and Weld counties
Rep. Shannon Bird D-District 29
Adams and
Jefferson counties
Rep. Michael Carter D-District 36
Adams and Arapahoe counties
Rep. Lisa Feret D-District 24
Adams and Jefferson counties
Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist D-District 8
Denver County
Rep. Eliza Hamrick D-District 61
Arapahoe and Douglas counties
Rep. Anthony Hartsook
Minority Caucus Chair R-District 44
Douglas County
Rep. Dusty Johnson R-District 63
Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties
Rep. Rose Pugliese
Minority Leader R-District 14
El Paso County
Rep. Gretchen Rydin D-District 38
Arapahoe and Jefferson counties
Rep. Katie Stewart D-District 59
Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties
Rep. Rebekah Stewart D-District 30
Jefferson County
Advocacy in Action
Colorado physicians and medical society staff traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Medical Association’s National Advocacy Conference (NAC) Feb. 10-12, 2025. Attendees connected with members of Congress and their staffs, industry experts, and others about federal efforts to improve health care, and advocate on crucial health care issues affecting physicians and patients. ■
Howard Saft, MD, and Alex Leung, MD, before a meeting with staff for U.S. Representative Jason Crow.
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From left: Howard Saft, MD; Narina Grove, MD; Sean Pauzauskie, MD; Alex Leung, MD; Ideen Tabatabai, MD; Donna Sullivan, MD; Helena Heister; Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA; Rachelle Klammer, MD; and Kaylee Story, MD.
From left: Narina Grove, MD; Howard Saft, MD; Kaylee Story, MD; Ideen Tabatabai, MD; Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA; and Sean Pauzauskie, MD.
Lies my brain tells me
Laura F. Martin, MD, Associate Medical Director, Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP)
“I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body. Then I realized who was telling me this.”
- Emo Philips
I love this quote. Not only because I am a psychiatrist and partial to all things brain, but also because I tend to live in my head. And all too often I have believed everything my brain tells me: that I can meet unrelenting standards if I just work harder or more efficiently, that perfectionistic standards are a healthy growth mindset, or that others’ needs are more important than my own.
While certainly the privilege and ability to practice my healing art and witness how the lives of patients improve over time will always have a profound and positive impact on my wellbeing, often the other associated standards of success such as the administrative aspects of practicing medicine, seeking out professional recognition and financial success have led me down more dangerous roads for my wellbeing. The daily grind would lead to over-prioritizing time spent at work, thinking about work and pursuing goals that weren’t making me happier like I thought they would. My values were misaligned and my brain kept telling me that working harder was the answer.
I have since been able to carve out a career that has given me the time to work on improving my wellbeing, which has largely involved the awareness of the lies my brain was telling me and practicing new behaviors. My first step was recognizing that my (and your) brain was fallible. A great visual example of this is the shepard tables:
Just because we think a thing is true doesn’t mean it is.
The left table looks longer and skinnier, right? So wrong. If you don’t believe me, measure it. Our minds can be full of tricks and misperceptions. However, as the tables below show us, just because we think a thing is true doesn’t mean that it is true. I was introduced to these tables in an outstanding and free Yale University course on the Science of Wellbeing by Dr. Laurie Santos, accessed through Coursera. It was an investment of time to watch the lectures, but the investment was absolutely worth it to better understand the various traps that can lead to life dissatisfaction. Plus, she reviews the evidence-based interventions that work to improve wellbeing, including restorative sleep, exercise, gratitude practices, savoring experiences, meditation, random acts of kindness, using our strengths at work, and social connection. None of these interventions are likely a surprise to you; this is the stuff of a good life. I enjoy my life more that I took the time to identify what wasn’t working for me and to put in place things that would, taking back my life from the darker side of the practice of medicine.
What actually works to improve wellbeing
Restorative sleep
Meditation Exercise
Gratitude practices
Using strengths at work
Social connection
Random acts of kindness
Savoring experiences
If you or someone you know is feeling out of balance, dissatisfied, or burned out, please consider what it might take to re-align things. Please also consider that it can be invaluable to ask a loved one, coach, therapist, physician or someone at CPHP for their thoughts as they can sometimes see when our brains are tricking us. I have taken advantage of all these sources of supports at different times in my life and am the better for it. ■
Student scientists recognized at state science fair
Staff report
Vedanth Raju and Maria Sears won the Colorado Medical Society Awards for Excellence at the 2025 Colorado Science and Engineering Fair held on April 3, 2025, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
A longtime supporter of the state science fair, each year the CMS Foundation presents an award to one student in the junior high division and one student in the senior high division for the Biomedical and Health Sciences category. These students receive $100 and an invitation
Curcaza+ is entirely plantbased, safe, cost-effective, and multifunctional.
to the CMS Annual Meeting to display their project and attend the President’s Gala.
The app offers a tool to track disease progression and reduce hospitalizations.
1. Northern Colorado Medical Society leaders Cory Carroll, MD, and Donna Sullivan, MD, served as the official Colorado Medical Society judges at this year’s fair. 2. Junior division winner, Vedanth Raju, developed a novel medication to treat diabetic foot ulcers and infections. 3. Senior division winner, Maria Sears, developed an innovative remote pulmonary monitoring device and
track and manage their respiratory health.
Northern Colorado Medical Society leaders Cory Carroll, MD, and Donna Sullivan, MD, served as the official Colorado Medical Society judges at this year’s fair.
The junior division winner, Vedanth Raju, developed a novel plant-based topical drug he called “Curcaza+” that he designed to help treat diabetic foot ulcers and infections, and help reduce antimicrobial resistance. He wanted to create a novel product that was entirely plant-based, safe and cost-effective, and multifunctional to help prevent and treat diabetic food ulcers. Raju tested three formulations – a nanoparticle gel, oil formulation and paste using turmeric/ Curcuma longa, neem/azadirachtin, Daruharidra/Berberis aristata and malkangani/Celastrus paniculatus – and then measured antimicrobial susceptibility, finding that his product could fill a current gap in treating infections from diabetic foot ulcers.
The senior division winner, Maria Sears, developed an innovative remote pulmonary monitoring device and companion app, MAX30105, designed to help patients track and manage their respiratory health. With more than 35 million Americans living with conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, this device offers a solution for at-home monitoring of chronic lung disease. It measures respiratory and heart rate using a pulse oximeter and conductive knitted stretch module, allows users to input their FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) rate, and allows users to send a notification to their care team when values fall outside of recommended ranges. The app offers a tool to help patients with chronic pulmonary diseases track the deterioration of their condition and reduce their hospitalization rate. ■
All Medical Answering Service
Owned and operated by the Colorado Medical Society, and backed by history of physician ownership, MTC is uniquely focused on the needs of its clients. Serving medical professionals is all we do.
MTC’s management team has over 50 years of combined experience in medical answering services. Our operators are professional, friendly, and expertly trained to handle any client situation. We offer a full range of customizable services to ensure your patients enjoy personal, timely communication while you stay on top of your busy schedule.
MTC is committed to providing the highest level of customer service. MTC is a member of the Association of TeleServices Int’l (ASTI) and a proud recipient of the prestigious ASTI Award of Excellence for service quality. MTC continually upgrades its technology and our servers and your data are kept in a secured state-of-the art data center with redundant internet and power supply.
NCMS brings members together at first “Doctors and Diners” breakfast
Northern Colorado Medical Society held a “Doctors and Diners” event at Silver Grill Café in Old Town Fort Collins. All retired NCMS members were invited. Attendees discussed ways to enrich and mentor local students with their career aspirations, a self-analysis, workplace placement, and the Walk with a Doc program. They reviewed current advocacy issues, community outreach, and the NCMS book club, among other topics. Pictured: NCMS Treasurer Scott Dhupar, MD; NCMS Executive Director Crystal Goodman; Steven Kading, MD; Chair of the NCMS Retiree Group Joel Dunnington, MD; Chair of the NCMS Advocacy Committee Donna Sullivan, MD; and Stephanie Lockwood, MD. ■
EPCMS Bi-Annual Celebration provides connection, education
Members of the El Paso County Medical Society enjoyed the Bi-Annual Celebration on April 29, 2025. The event offered the opportunity to amplify relationships with peers, engage in valuable discussions on current legislation, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. ■
CMS CSO Chet Seward presented a legislative update with Brian Kilmartin, MD, EPCMS representative on the CMS Council on Legislation.
From left, EPCMS CEO Natalie Myers, MBA; CMS Chief Strategy Officer Chet Seward; EPCMS President Nicholas Piantanida, MD, MBA; and EPCMS representative on the CMS Council on Legislation, Brian Kilmartin, MD.
The heart of medicine
CJ Ernstrom
CJ Ernstrom (they/them) is a third-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. They grew up in Golden, Colo., and went to Washington University in St. Louis for undergraduate studies. Despite falling in love with the city of St Louis, they decided to come back to Colorado (and the mountains) and dive into the world of research before applying to medical school. CJ got married at the Museum of Nature and Science last fall, and their dog starred in the ceremony as the ringbearer. As an artist and a non-binary person, the field of plastic surgery and gender-affirming care called to CJ, and they will be applying to plastic surgery integrated residencies in the fall of 2027, after taking a research year. They hope to serve as a patient advocate and steward as they provide life-saving health care one day.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and I squeezed her hand reassuringly as the propofol took effect. Her face relaxed, peaceful, as the anesthesiologist removed the oxygen mask and prepared to intubate. I stepped away, busying myself with the typical medical student duties –putting on gloves, gently positioning the patient’s arms, and helping the nurses and operating room staff. As the surgical resident began moving hair away from the patient’s face to prep for her gender affirming facial feminization surgery, he asked me if I knew how to braid. I am, in fact, quite good at braiding, so I was happy to take over for him. As I separated each lock in my hands, I felt honored –she was Indigenous, and her hair was incredibly long, thick and beautiful. Her hair was symbolic; as a transgender woman growing her hair had been an important part of her transition, and as an Indigenous woman her hair was significant to her identity and culture. Once the braids were secured, we proceeded with the surgery. We spent hours meticulously assessing every detail, and with each intervention her features softened and appeared more feminine. Her essence came to life as we operated, until finally, we closed her incisions. The surgeon
asked the resident and me to wash her hair to remove surgical debris, and we set to work taking out the braids and lathering in the shampoo. As we focused on our task, I was struck by a powerful sensation of ritual – braiding and washing her hair felt reverent, tender, and profoundly human. After the intensity of surgery, this quiet moment of stewardship and service felt vulnerable and humbling.
I had followed this patient since before her surgery, greeting her at each pre-operative appointment and answering any questions that I could, and I was holding her hand as we wheeled her back to the operating room. I was there for her when she woke up, and I felt her joy as if it were my own as she held up a mirror and looked at herself. She turned to me, tears in her eyes, and said how grateful she was that I had been by her side through every step of this process. She told me that having me there made her feel safe.
This is what humanism in medicine is to me – those little moments that connect me to my patients as a fellow human. It is the moments where I can see my own humanity, my vulnerabilities and my strengths, reflected in someone’s
eyes. When I bond with a patient over a shared love of Star Trek or sit with them while they cry. Humanism in medicine is seeing each patient as a unique, valuable individual, and taking the time to understand what makes them who they are. It is continuous, unrelenting patient advocacy. It is the belief that every patient – every human – deserves dignity, respect and autonomy. Amid political division, misinformation and fearmongering, recognizing our shared humanity has never been more important.
Medical school is filled with constant expectations, learning and achievements, but throughout each of my clinical experiences I strived to always genuinely connect with my patients. Finding a shared interest or identifying a commonality with each patient, regardless of their age, ethnicity, background or beliefs, reminds me why I went into medicine in the first place. Having a patient share their fears or joys with you, allowing you to join them in moments of anxiety or relief, is a privilege that I am humbled to have. As I progress through this career, I hold these moments of raw humanity close, keeping me centered on the heart of medicine. ■
Bearing witness to patient stories
Rebekah Davis
Rebekah Davis is a third-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is originally from Long Island, N.Y., and pursued a degree in Finance at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. She then went on obtain her master’s degree in public health at The Dartmouth Institute, where she focused on health care usage variation. She is now pursuing a career in family medicine, where she hopes to work to promote health care quality improvement and equity. She treasures the time she gets to spend outdoors and with her friends.
Before pursuing a career in medicine, I worked in finance at a range of institutions, from large banks to early-stage startups. The analytical challenges were intellectually stimulating, but over time, I found myself searching for a deeper sense of purpose – one rooted in human connection. I sought to fill this void by teaching financial literacy classes in the community and engaging in social impact investing. Yet despite these efforts, a quiet dissatisfaction lingered. I realized I yearned for a career that would allow me to engage more intimately with people’s lives, to be present not just at the surface, but at the moments that mattered most. This realization ultimately led me to pivot toward medicine. In the year before beginning medical school, I earned a Master of Public Health to deepen my understanding of the social determinants of health and to strengthen my commitment to human-centered care – skills I knew would be vital to my future as a physician.
From the beginning of medical school, I was drawn to primary care for its emphasis on longitudinal relationships, its opportunity to care for individuals across generations, and its deep roots in community trust. Early in my training, I sought out experiences working with individuals who had recently transitioned
out of homelessness. I wanted to challenge the preconceived notions society often holds about them. More importantly, I wanted to hear their stories – the real circumstances that shaped their journeys – and to bear witness, with humility, to some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
One of the most formative experiences of my training took place during a longitudinal psychiatry preceptorship at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Through this work, I visited supportive housing units across Denver and joined in street outreach efforts. These encounters offered a profound window into the complex psychological and social challenges faced by many in this community. We regularly visited Safe Outdoor Spaces, where residents lived in repurposed shipping containers, and I saw firsthand how asking individuals to open up to a team of health care providers – representatives of a system that had so often failed them – required tremendous trust and vulnerability.
One patient, in particular, has stayed with me. He had grown up on a reservation in Colorado and spoke candidly about the limited opportunities that had shaped his life. He described how, in a desperate need for shelter, he had once committed
a crime simply to secure a roof over his head – even if that meant incarceration. He also spoke with deep regret about moments he wished he could change, including a painful memory of attending his daughter’s choir concert while incapacitated on disulfiram, creating a scene he could never erase. Throughout our encounters, my preceptor modeled extraordinary patience and compassion, treating this man not merely as a patient but as a whole person, carrying a complex, painful history. It was a model of care I hope to carry forward – a commitment to seeing each individual in their full humanity. As Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, wrote in "Just Mercy," emotional courage is necessary “to see in them, scattered pieces of hope and humanity, seeds of restoration that come to astonishing life when nurtured by very simple interventions.”
A preceptor once told me they take just a moment before entering each patient’s room to pause and reset – a ritual invisible to the patient, but sacred to the physician. It is a reminder of why we choose this work: to serve others, to be a source of trust and information in the darkest of times, and to be fully present, regardless of how society may judge those we serve. ■
Reflective writing is an important component of the University of Colorado School of Medicine curriculum. Beginning in the first semester, medical students write essays, stories or poetry that reflect what they have seen, heard and felt. The Reflections column was co-founded by Steven Lowenstein, MD, MPH, and Tess Jones, PhD. It is now co-edited by Dr. Lowenstein and Kathryn Rhine, PhD. It is dedicated to the memory of Henry Claman, MD, Distinguished Immunologist and Professor at the University of Colorado, and founder of the Arts and Humanities in Healthcare Program.
Finding my voice in the halls of Congress
Breea Diamond
Breea Diamond is a mountain enthusiast and Colorado native. She attended Colorado State University for her B.S in Biology. She went on to receive her M.S at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Biomedical Science and Biotechnology where her research specialized in reproductive medicine. She is currently a first-year student at Rocky Vista University and serves as the president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) chapter.
I came into medicine, like many of my peers, with the intention of helping. But early in my first year, I noticed something I didn’t expect – my voice, once loud with purpose, began to dim. Clinical spaces can be overwhelming, even when they’re filled with the hum of healing. You walk in as a student with a badge and stethoscope, but that doesn’t stop the doubts. The stakes feel enormous. The mistakes, inevitable. And when you're still learning where the reflex hammer is stored, it’s hard to feel like you belong.
After failing a clinical competency exam, I felt like that doubt had finally swallowed me whole. During my feedback review, my preceptor offered a quiet grace: “Confidence, confidence, confidence. You came into this room with a purpose and all the tools you need to achieve it.” But at the time, those tools felt far away. I didn’t yet have the hours or the muscle memory. I was still trying to figure out what kind of physician I wanted to be – if I even had it in me to become one.
Outside of school, the same helplessness seemed to echo in my community. Conversations with friends and family turned, again and again, toward worry.
Budget cuts. Clinics closing. Long waitlists. So many people felt stuck, knowing our healthcare system was breaking but unsure how – or if – they could do anything to stop it. I felt that too. I could diagnose systemic issues, but I didn’t know how to treat them. I didn’t yet know how to be loud in a meaningful way.
Then one afternoon, while studying, a lyric from Dominic Fike’s “Dancing in the Courthouse” jolted me out of my own quiet:
“We make our problems fade by facin’ 'em.
We make the wind our wings by raisin' your arms.
Put 'em on trial.
Make a stand for it, or it don't count.”
That line stuck. Not because it was poetic – though it was – but because it called me out. I realized I’d been opting out of conversations that mattered to me, not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t think I had the right to speak up yet.
So I signed up for DO Day.
I arrived in Washington, D.C., alone, wideeyed, and more afraid of the Metro than of Congress. But I came with a purpose. DO Day is an annual event where osteopathic medical students and physicians gather to meet with lawmakers and advocate for our profession and the patients we serve. That year, the centerpiece of our platform was H.R. 879: The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.
The bill had been introduced in response to a 2.83 percent cut to Medicare physician payments that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.1 For practices already walking a financial tightrope, this cut felt like a shove. H.R. 879 proposed not just to reverse the damage, but to offer a 2 percent increase – just enough to breathe again. 2 One of the speakers reminded us that when Medicare reimbursement drops, access to care follows. It was estimated that in 2022, hospitals were being reimbursed only 82 cents on the dollar for Medicare patients – adding up to nearly $99 billion in underpayments. 3 I thought about the rural clinic where I’d shadowed, how hard they fought just to keep their doors open.
And now here I was, sitting across from policymakers, sharing that story. Telling
them what it’s like to see burnout hollow out a care team. What it’s like to meet a patient who’s traveled hours just to be told they need to wait weeks more. What it’s like to want to help but not have enough hands – or reimbursement – to do it.
I had expected to feel like an imposter, a student in a place reserved for experts. But instead, I felt grounded and heard. And maybe for the first time in medical school, I felt like a physician – not because I had all the answers, but because I was
using my voice to ask better questions.
Since that day, something in me has shifted. I still don’t always feel confident, and I certainly still get things wrong. But I speak with more intention now. I understand that being a physician isn’t just about clinical skill – it’s about showing up for patients in and outside the exam room. It’s about making space for stories and systems to coexist.
I’ve started seeking out more advocacy opportunities, especially within community health, because I don’t want to forget what that day in D.C. gave me: the reminder that I’m not powerless in this process. That my role as a student isn’t to stay silent until I earn a louder voice –but to use the one I have now, however shaky it feels.
Transformation doesn’t always happen in lecture halls or labs. Sometimes, it happens on a Metro to Capitol Hill, or in a quiet lyric between flashcards. For me, DO Day wasn’t just about policy – it was about rediscovering my purpose. I raised my voice – and found, to my surprise, that it still carried.
Medical Transcription Services
Busy vs. Kinda Sorta Maybe Busy
References
1 Murphy S. Murphy introduces bipartisan legislation to preserve Medicare for patients and physicians [press release]. February 7, 2025. Accessed April 6, 2025. https://murphy.house. gov/media/press-releases/murphy-introduces-bipartisan-legislationpreserve-medicare-patients-and
2 American Medical Association. Medicare payment reform advocacy update. March 7, 2025. Accessed April 6, 2025. https://www.ama-assn. org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/march-7-2025-medicarepayment-reform-advocacy-update
3 American Hospital Association. Medicare significantly underpays hospitals for the cost of patient care [infographic]. January 10, 2024. Accessed April 6, 2025. https://www. aha.org/2024-01-10-infographicmedicare-significantly-underpayshospitals-cost-patient-care ■
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Giving back to health care: 2025 Copic Medical Foundation Grants
Gerald Zarlengo, MD, Chairman & CEO, Copic Insurance Company
Since Copic was founded in the 1980s, a guiding principle has always been to support and give back to health care in ways that extend beyond the medical liability insurance we provide. This is embodied through the efforts of the Copic Medical Foundation. Established in 1991, the Foundation was created as a nonprofit to support our mission of improving medicine in the communities we serve.
Today, the Foundation’s efforts have expanded with a national perspective and funding has surpassed $13 million to support individuals and organizations who are improving patient care and medical outcomes. Grant funding continues to be focused on initiatives that reduce fragmentation across care settings. A top concern in the field of patient safety, breakdowns in care from a fragmented health care system can lead to readmissions, missed diagnoses, medication errors, delayed treatment, duplicative testing and procedures, and reduction in quality of care leading to general patient and provider dissatisfaction.
“Each year, we review dozens of grant proposals for ideas driven by passionate people who are focused on solutions to address the issue of fragmentation of care. The ideas range from creating improved systems to direct patient engagement to training for health care professionals,” said Meredith Hintze, Executive Director of the Copic Medical Foundation. “The Foundation’s efforts help elevate these initiatives by providing financial support through grant funding, which is more crucial than ever as we see ever-changing challenges in health care. We are proud to announce this year’s recipients and highlight their innovative ideas that have the potential to be replicated across health care systems.”
For 2025, the Foundation has awarded more than $950,000 in grants to the following six organizations:
• Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation (Colorado) —The grant will support efforts to expand a Transition Care Management pilot to reach more children across their entire system of care. This program will enable them to build non-nursing roles and form an interdisciplinary team to address post-discharge challenges for medically complex and underserved children, demonstrating reimbursement value and improving discharge for all patients.
• Stigler Health & Wellness Center, Inc. (Oklahoma) —The grant will support the Health & Wellness Center’s Continuing Care Program that will provide patients who have recently had a hospital or emergency department visit with in-home nursing visits and telehealth consultations. This program ensures patients understand treatment goals, have necessary supplies and resources, and receive timely visits, especially for those with serious conditions, to manage ongoing issues effectively.
• St. Mary’s Health Clinics (Minnesota) —The grant will support the Community Health Empowerment Initiative (CHEI), which aims to reduce health care fragmentation for 1,200 uninsured, Spanish-speaking immigrants in the Twin Cities metro area. The initiative integrates bilingual community health workers, medication therapy management technology, and culturally tailored education to create a seamless “medical home” model for those at high risk for chronic diseases.
• Children’s National Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) —The grant will support efforts to decrease fragmentation across health care settings by studying Pharm-PATHS, which is an intervention designed to increase medication safety in the home using an ambulatory, post-discharge, pharmacist-engaged telehealth visit tailored for children with medical complexity.
• Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association (Nebraska) —The grant will support the implementation of the MyDirectives platform as a statewide advance care planning document (ACP) registry to streamline access to ACP documents.
• University of Nebraska Foundation (on behalf of Nebraska Medicine Innovation Design Unit) (Nebraska) The grant will support a pilot of a regional virtual nursing program to enhance care coordination and continuity for patients and support staff. This initiative will evaluate the program’s success and lay the groundwork for expanding virtual care across the region, benefiting patients and clinicians with improved continuity of care and well-being.
We feel honored to support and partner with all of these organizations. They are truly at the forefront of developing ideas that will change health care for the better and further enhance patient safety. It all connects back to our mission and Copic’s dedication to improving health care.
Mark your calendars: In November 2025, we will open submissions for our 2026 grant funding cycle. Visit www.copic. com/foundation for more information. ■
IN MEDICINE SPOTLIGHT
Why becoming a partner could be your next big move
Michael Jerkins, MD, M.Ed, President and Co-founder, Panacea Financial
For doctors seeking ways to advance their career, becoming a partner in a practice or surgery center offers an exciting opportunity. Here are five compelling reasons to consider taking that step toward partnership.
1. Enhanced financial security
One of the most appealing aspects of partnership is the opportunity to earn more than just a salary. Partners benefit from profit-sharing, which can significantly boost income. Because of this, partnership can provide more security and potential for growth than a traditional employment model.
2. Influence over key decisions
As a partner, you become a decision-maker rather than simply following directives. This allows you to have a say in staffing, policies, and patient care strategies. Being part of this decision-making process can enhance job satisfaction by giving you control over the practice’s direction.
3. Establish your professional reputation
Partnering in a practice allows you to establish and strengthen your reputation in the health care community. Building meaningful relationships with patients and providing consistent care fosters loyalty and trust, which translates into a solid reputation and patient base over time.
4. Balance work and personal life
Unlike many traditional employment models, partners often enjoy greater flexibility. You will likely have the ability to manage your own schedule, allowing for better work-life balance. This not only enhances job satisfaction but can help prevent burnout and promote overall wellbeing.
5. A commitment to lifelong learning
Being a partner often encourages a mindset of continuous improvement and
learning. Collaborating with colleagues in a shared practice leads to knowledge exchange and exposure to diverse cases. This environment supports professional growth and ensures you stay on top of new treatments and patient care developments.
Making the leap to partnership
Becoming a partner in a medical practice offers numerous advantages. From decision-making power and financial rewards to professional reputation build -
About Michael Jerkins, MD, M.Ed
ing and personal flexibility, partnership is a dynamic career move that can provide both personal and professional growth.
If you are ready to buy into a medical practice, Panacea Financial is ready to help you! Apply today, take advantage of CMS-exclusive discounts, and see how Panacea Financial can help you achieve your partnership goals.
Panacea Financial is a division of Primis. Member FDIC
Dr. Jerkins is the president and co-founder of Panacea Financial and is also a practicing physician in Little Rock, Ark. After earning his BBA in Economics, he deferred his medical school acceptance to teach middle school science in the Phoenix, Ariz. area while also earning his Master of Education degree from Arizona State University. He then completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center before finishing his residency at University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. With a faculty position and board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Jerkins treats patients of all ages and teaches medical trainees in both inpatient and outpatient settings. ■
Augmented, not replaced: How AI is empowering physicians and enhancing care
Sean Riley, MD, MBS and Alan Kimura, MD, MPH
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the health care landscape, with implications that extend deeply into physician practices and patient care. While much of the public discourse around AI in medicine focuses on futuristic diagnostics or robotic surgery, its most immediate and profound impact is in streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing clinical decision-making.
Currently, physicians spend a significant portion of their time on non-clinical work – charting, documentation, billing, and managing electronic health records (EHRs). AI-powered tools are beginning to shoulder these burdens. Natural language processing (NLP) can transcribe and summarize patient visits in real time, while machine learning algorithms can flag billing codes, update problem lists, or recommend next steps based on clinical data. As these tools improve, physicians will be able to redirect time and cognitive energy back to patient care, potentially alleviating burnout and improving professional satisfaction.
Looking forward, AI is unlikely to replace physicians, but it will change how they practice. Rather than acting as a standalone diagnostician, AI will augment clinical judgment – offering risk stratifications, surfacing overlooked information in patient histories, or identifying subtle patterns across populations. In this context, physicians will increasingly become information interpreters and patient advocates, using AI as a powerful tool rather than a replacement.
For patients, the integration of AI could mean faster diagnoses, more personalized care, and improved access to services –especially through virtual care platforms that leverage AI for triage or follow-up.
However, concerns about data privacy, bias in algorithms, and maintaining the human connection in health care remain important to address.
To help shape this evolving landscape, state legislatures and organizations like the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) have a critical role to play. They must balance advocating for ethical and equitable AI implementation, ensuring regulatory frameworks protect both physicians and patients, while promoting transparency in AI development and deployment – yet not stifle innovation in this AI race with vast implications. By providing regular updates, educational resources, and forums for discussion, CMS can keep its members informed and empowered to lead in the responsible adoption of AI. Through collaboration between clinicians, lawmakers, and professional societies, Colorado can set a model for thoughtful integration of AI in health care – one that enhances care while preserving the values at the heart of medicine.
Sean Riley, MD, is chair of the CMS Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence. He is board certified in Medical Informatics and Internal Medicine, and practices with Colorado Permanente Medical Group, where he also serves as director of medical informatics. He has extensive experience in analytics, population health, use and training of electronic health records, and leadership.
Alan Kimura, MD, MPH, is vice chair of the CMS Taskforce on AI. A specialist in vitreo-retinal diseases and surgery, with subspecialty expertise in inherited retinal diseases, he recently retired from Colorado Retina Associates. A lifelong innovator, he led their successful practice transformation by streamlining processes to maximize efficiency and investing in people, data and technology. ■
Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager and past president of Colo MGMA As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free.
“My patient population includes a high percentage of people on Medicare. I felt sorry for them as they had to choose from a large, confusing number of insurance products Fortunately, our office started referring consistently to Mary Jo many years ago. She made that Medicare insurance search project into an organized, understandable, and efficient process for our patients.
When it was my turn to apply for Medicare, I set up an appointment with her. She gathered information about my medical needs and then matched to the best plans for me. She is always both professional and considerate and is simply the best.”
– Edith S. Lovegren, MD
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